Urban Design Advisory Panel

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"Urban Design" can be defined as 'The art of making places'. It is not only about the design and look of individual buildings. It involves the design of buildings, groups of buildings, spaces and places. It's about thinking about the future and how to make our city and your development work well now, and for years to come.

What is the panel looking to achieve?

Quality buildings, good design and successful developments.

The Urban Design Panel provides professional and independent advice on proposed projects. And the best part, it's FREE!

Using the Urban Design Panel can make the consenting process quicker and more streamlined. They're here to help.

Expertise on the 14-person panel includes engineering, planning, architecture, arts and landscape architecture. Find out who the panel are here.

What is the role of the UDP?

The Panel provides free, professional and independent advice on proposed projects.

They look at proposed projects and provide advice and recommendations to the applicant on improvements which could be made. The Panel also promote good design and a quality environment.

Why should I use the Panel?

The Panel is optional although can help make the consenting process quicker by advising on aspects of your proposal which may not have good urban design amongst other aspects.

The panel provides recommendations on the merits of a design within the context of the VISTA (The City Design Guide) and international best practice.

Should my project go to the Panel?

We recommended applicants take up the offer when presented as the Panel will help identify and resolve any urban design issues at the start of the design process.

Any project or proposal (irrespective of its size, scale or location) can benefit from the expertise available on the Panel. The following general criteria are used:

Area

Criteria/project type​

Notes

City Centre Zone

Significant building & capital projects

Panel should review projects regardless of activity status in the District Plan.

Community/commercial focal points

Public buildings, commercial, community and residential projects

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Strategic gateways to city

Significant buildings in defined gateway areas​

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Defined heritage and character precincts and archaeological sites

New buildings and additions and alterations to heritage buildings & structures. This includes works within an archaeological/cultural site

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Residential Zones

Apartments, Integrated Residential Developments and Duplexes

Smaller (4 units and under) should typically not go to the Panel.

Subdivisions

Significant new subdivisions – close to key points of interest impacting ecological features or large suburban developments.

Major public works by government departments and other organisations e.g. schools, health, transport

The advice and recommendations from the Panel is in addition to the urban design assessment that takes place as part of the processing of resource consents.

What aspects do the Panel consider?

Typically under the Hamilton District Plan, most new buildings (including residential units such as duplexes and apartments) will require resource consent and more often than not, Council has discretion over the design, layout and character aspects of the proposal. By helping to address these key urban design considerations early in the design and development process, the Panel can enable a quicker, easier resource consent process.

In reviewing proposals, the Panel will focus on the appropriateness of the proposal in relation to its physical, social and cultural context, including any identified heritage values. The Panel will consider the overall quality of the development and its architecture, as well as its appearance from the street and public spaces.

Elements the Panel would typically consider include:

​​​​​​​​​extent to which best practice urban design principles have been incorporated

the 'fit' of the proposal within the context, including the proposed activity (or mix of activities)

proposed bulk, location, scale, layout and building design, including how these respond to the opportunities and constraints of the site and the character of the surrounding neighborhood

landscaping and interface with the public environment, including the design of any proposed streets or access ways

ground floor activities and the relationship with the street/public environment

how the development will work for both users and the public, including safety, circulation and servicing

the standard of living and on-site amenity created for existing and future residents (residential developments).

What information do I need to provide the Panel?

Extensive presentation material and detailed designs are not required. Material can include preliminary concepts (eg hand-drawn sketches) sufficient to describe the site and the proposed approach. Other documentation, such as an assessment of environmental effects, is not needed.

It would be useful to consider the following:

​​the surrounding context – maps, analysis plans

an outline of proposal sufficient to describe the proposed uses, circulation, bulk and location, building typologies

initial thoughts on the proposed architectural and landscape approach including any preliminary plans, elevations, sketches

any other supporting material as appropriate (eg heritage, natural hazards)

How can I get my proposal to be considered by the Panel?

The Panel meet on the last Wednesday of every month. To confirm an appointment with the Panel:

​​Initial discussion with Council staff to review proposal and agree on the need for a Panel review

Review key issues and material required

Confirmation of date, time and venue.

Typically after the review, a follow-up meeting to discuss key issues raised by Panel will be held with Council staff.

For further details regarding the Panel, including requesting a meeting, please email Colin Hattingh (Senior Urban Design Planner) or direct dial at 07 8386702. Staff from the Planning Guidance Unit will also be able to advise further in this regard.

Are there terms of reference for the Panel?

The format, membership and Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Panel were reviewed in August 2017. The Panel is supported by and acts under the delegation of the General Manager City Growth.​

Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest

To maintain the confidence of developers, meetings with the Panel are confidential and closed to all but the applicant's nominated representatives, Council staff and the Panellists, unless the applicant indicates they are willing for it to be public. All Panellists, and any additional experts in attendance, are also required to declare if they have a conflict of interest.